Italian partners eye robots for shipbuilding
Aerial view of the Fincantieri shipyard in Muggiano, Italy. (Photo: Fincantieri)
Letter of intent between Fincantieri and Comau includes development of a welding robot for shipyards.
Robotic shipbuilding in Italy moved a step closer on 20 May, when Fincantieri and industrial automation specialist Comau announced a letter of intent to develop prototype autonomous steel welding solutions for shipyards.
The two Italian companies also agreed to co-operate on developing new technologies in a Digital Factory.
The first deliverable for Fincantieri shipyards, to be tested in the second half of 2022, will be ‘an anthropomorphic welding robot’ combined with a remote control tracked vehicle, the two companies stated.
Fincantieri and Comau will be co-owners of the intellectual property generated while developing the new concept design. At a later stage, they will explore the possibility of marketing this kind of welding product for shipbuilding and other ‘relevant business segments’ such as the construction industry.
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